Police hunt for attacker

Police are searching for this man who allegedly attempted to abduct a 12-year-old boy in Gympie.Contributed

A 12-YEAR-OLD Gympie boy has managed to free himself from an attacker and hide in the TAFE College grounds on Cartwright Rd after a failed abduction attempt.

He had been riding home on his scooter about 6pm Thursday near the intersection of Glen Eden Dr and Cartwright Rd when a man aged between 20 and 30 years-old pulled his vehicle over, got out and asked the boy to get in.

When the boy, who lived nearby, refused to get in, the man grabbed him by the hair and tried to pull him over to the car.

The boy managed to get free and ran off, hiding for a short time before the vehicle left.

He was then able to return home and his parents dialled 000.

Officer-in-charge of the Gympie Criminal Investigation Branch, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Oliver, said the attack was possibly linked to a previous incident and police had been investigating similar offences.

In a press conference yesterday she said the language used by the suspect was "inappropriate" to repeat, but the boy had not been physically hurt.

"We have a very detailed comfit image and hope it may jog someone's memory," she said.

"The offender was not known to the victim child or family."

So far only "sketchy" descriptions had been given to police about the others in the car and the investigation was focusing on the driver.

The man who grabbed the boy was described as Caucasian, about 190cm (6ft 3in) tall, with a muscular build.

He was wearing a black T-shirt with red writing across the front, black board shorts, white socks, dark coloured skate shoes and a flat brimmed cap.

He was also unshaven and had "stretchers" in both earlobes, about the size of a 20 cent piece.

The man also had tattoos down his right arm.

More details will be released when police have specific information about the designs.

The vehicle was described as a "blue sedan".

If you have been confronted in a similar circumstance, saw anything suspicious, or have information call the Gympie station on 5480 1111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.